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FOREST SERVICE: Washington State National Parks and Forests and Phone Numbers for Washington State Forest Service and National Parks
INTRODUCTION: Seattle Recreation and the North Cascades
Mountain Loop Highway Recreation
The Mountain Loop Highway runs from Granite Falls and into the Cascade Mountains, winding past Mt. Pilchuck, and ending at Barlow pass.
Please note that many of the following trails are covered by snow in the late fall through early spring. As of May 29, 2008, many of these trails are still covered by snow and a few are even labeled by the forest service for being at risk of AVALANCHE. It is a good idea to become familiar with avalanche conditions, so that you can recognize the danger signs when you're in the mountains, and avoid any trails that are unsafe.
Mountain Loop Highway, from Granite Falls:
Ashland Lakes Trail - 3.5 miles - Easy
Bald Eagle Trail - 9.5 miles - Most Difficult
Bald Mountain Trail - 10 miles - Varies
Barlow Point Trail - 1 mile - More Difficult
Big Four Ice Caves - 1 mile - Easy
Boardman Lake and Lake Evan Trail - 0.8 mile - Easy
Canyon Lake Trail - 2.1 miles - Easy
Elliot Creek (Goat Lake) Trail - 5.2 miles - More Difficult
Glacier Basin Trail - 2.1 miles - More Difficult
Heather Lake Trail - 1.9 miles - More Difficult
Independence Lake Trail - 0.7 miles - More Difficult
Kelcema Lake Trail - 0.6 miles - Moderate
Lake Twenty-Two Trail - 2.7 miles - More Difficult
Lost Creek Ridge Trail - 11 miles - Most Difficult
Mallardy Ridge Trail - 3.5 miles - More Difficult
Marten Creek Trail - 3 miles - Most Difficult
Mt. Dickerman Trail - 4.3 miles - Most Difficult
Mt. Forgotten and Perry Creek Trail - 3.8 miles - More Difficult
Mt. Pilchuck Lookout Trail - 3 miles - Most Difficult
North Lake Trail - 2.4 miles - Most Difficult
Old Government Trail - 2 miles - Easy
Monte Cristo Trail / Old Monte Cristo Townsite - 4 miles - More Difficult
Old Robe Trail (Robe Canyon) - 2.2 miles - More Difficult
Pass Lake Trail - 0.5 mile - More Difficult
Pinnacle Lake Trail - 1.9 miles - More Difficult
Poodle Dog Pass - Silver Lake - Twin Lakes - 4.4 miles - Most Difficult
Sunrise Mine Trail - 2.6 miles - Most Difficult
Three Fingers, Goat Flats, Saddle Lake - 6.7 miles - Most Difficult
Weden Creek Trail (Gothic Basin) - 3.3 miles - Most Difficult
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Mountain Loop Highway, from Darrington:
Beaver Lake - 1 mile - Easy
Crystal Lake - 2.5 miles - More Difficult
Eight-Mile - 2.5 miles - Most Difficult
Frog Lake - 1 mile - More Difficult
Kennedy Ridge Trail - 2 miles - More Difficult
Meadow Mountain - 17.5 miles - Most Difficult
Mt. Pugh - 3.5 miles - Most Difficult
North Fork Sauk Falls - 0.2 miles - Easy
North Fork Sauk (connects with Pacific Crest Trail) - 8.4 miles - Most Difficult
Old Sauk - 3 miles - Easy
Peek-A-Boo Lake - 2.2 miles - More Difficult
Pilo Ridge - 11 miles - Most Difficult
Popular Hiking Trails on the Mountain Loop Highway
In addition, some of the roads leading to these trails have been damaged by storms, which will add distance to your hike. Check with the U.S. forest service website, under Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Hiking and Trails - Mountain Loop Highway Area to find out which roads have been effected, as well as snow conditions, and if the trail you plan to hike is at risk of avalanche.
Find a Hike in the North Cascades
Primitive Camping in the North Cascades
Hikes for Children - The Boulder River Trail
Highway 20 Hiking
Mountain Loop Highway Hiking
Mt Baker Highway Hiking
Highway 2 Hiking
GoNorthCascades.com attempts to list hiking trails as we either trek them ourselves, have them recommended by friends or other readers, or read about them through other resources, such as books, news articles, and websites.
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